We need to make sure that we are focused on readiness today and readiness for the future, as well.

Do you actually believe you have the authority to do an environmental statement without Congress changing the law that prohibits it, specifically 1056(e)?

I want to thank you for following the law, which seems unusual, but in our environment, that is something of which to be congratulated.

Do you anticipate reducing the Minuteman III ICBM fleet of 450 missiles in FY15?

I would like a follow-up answer for all of those if you have something more specific as to those numbers when it becomes available.

I want to thank you in your opening statement for reaffirming the nuclear triad and the commitment for land-based ICBM capabilities.

What little deficit reduction we have seen has been, by a factor of 9-to-1, due more to increased taxes than reductions in spending.

Changes in people's incentives caused by Federal tax and spending policies set in current law are expected to keep hours worked and potential output during the next 10 years lower than they would be otherwise.

A host of surveys reveals that many Americans see themselves as residing in the so-called 'middle class.'

Well, how do we solve that problem? That is what I am getting to.

I believe that the Obama administration's focus has been misplaced and that its policies have actually been hurting the middle class.

Yet I do not believe that the motivation for today's hearing is politics or class warfare.

Why can we not get people to work?

Why on earth would the administration, if it is interested in helping the middle class, move 20 percent of health care costs from progressive taxation to lump-sum taxation?

There are two ways to analyze the condition of middle-income Americans.

The policies enacted in our tax and our transfer system are creating a huge disincentive for people to work.

Small businesses are investing for the long run, and they need a set of policies that are long-run policies.

I think you put your finger on a couple of interesting issues, all of them pointed to the bottom line.